[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Former Indian Army officer Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale, who was serving with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), was killed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip. This incident has left India outraged. Colonel Kale was traveling to the European Hospital when his vehicle was hit, resulting in his death and injuring another UN staff member.
This tragic event marks the first international UN casualty since the Israeli invasion of Gaza began on October 7, 2023. Colonel Kale had recently taken up the role of security coordination officer with the UNDSS. His remains are expected to arrive in India on Tuesday. The incident is currently under investigation, with no clear information about the assailants yet.
Read more: UN Foreign Employee Lost Life In An Attack In Gaza
Colonel Kale, who previously served in the Indian Army’s 11 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles regiment, retired two years ago and worked with multinational companies before joining the UN. He is survived by his wife and two teenage children in Pune.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack, stressing the need to protect humanitarian workers and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Deputy spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, also condemned the attack on UN personnel and called for a thorough investigation. Haq emphasized the need for a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of hostages in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Col Waibhav Kale, working for the UNDSS in Gaza. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this difficult time,” stated the Permanent Mission of India to the UN on X.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
